Author: Benjamin

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The number of mortgage completions in the UK increased by 50% in March as purchasers raced to avoid higher stamp duty payments, according to Barclays. This was even higher among first-time buyers. The lender reported its busiest month in the UK property market in years, with the highest number of completions since September 2021, when interest rates hit a record low. Completions at the bank were up by half compared with February, and up by 70% among first-time buyers, who potentially face the biggest cost increases under the revised tax…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Members of the House of Lords will begin their detailed examination of the Renters’ Rights Bill in committee today. It remains to be seen what potential knock-on effects the new legislation could have on the private rented sector, with added pressures on landlords and a risk of unintended consequences for renters. The Renters’ Rights Bill seeks to abolish fixed term assured tenancies and assured shorthold tenancies. It will also impose obligations on landlords and others in relation to rented homes and temporary and supported accommodation. Committee stage is a thorough examination of…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: The Open Property Data Association (OPDA) has announced the launch of its accreditation programme for members, with a view to improving how property data is shared and used. Accredited status confirms a member’s commitment to OPDA’s core principles, including the promotion of open standards, ethical data use and a shared vision for a more efficient and connected property ecosystem. “By introducing this accreditation, we’re giving organisations a way to demonstrate their leadership in transforming the future of property data,” said Maria Harris, Chair at OPDA. “It’s a…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Snippets of industry news: Cushman & Wakefield names new chief executive; Knight Frank forms new UK Board; New appointment at Harding Green after Cluttons exit [/openai_chatbot] #Comings #amp #Goings Source link

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: In this week’s UK Property Market Stats Show I am joined by Alice Bullard, as we delve into the key UK property market headlines for 14th week of 2025 ending on the 13th April 2025.   As with every show, the first half is about the UK Property Market and the second half is a deep dive focus on a town’s or city’s estate and letting agents. This week, we look at all the agents in Epsom and decide whom is the best. Here are the highlights plus the graphs…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Dexters has completed its fourth acquisition in just a month, with the purchase of another independent estate agency in London. EYE understands that the fast-growing property group has just completed a deal to buy Homesite in Notting Hill. Founded in 2006, Homesite also covers the market in nearby Bayswater, Kensington and Holland Park from its single office on Westbourne Grove, W11. This latest deal follows on from the purchase of Cubes Residential in Hendon, NW4, which completed last week, as revealed exclusively by EYE. Earlier this month, Dexters announced the acquisition…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Rightmove has announced that it is launching a new campaign to put the game-changing work of agents in the spotlight. Called ‘The Game Changers’, Rightmove will be spending the next few weeks collecting positive stories from movers and landlords about their experience working with agents, that showcase the valuable role agents play in helping people to move. The stories will be anonymised, and six winners will be chosen by a judging panel as the ‘Game Changers’. The agents will be featured in a national summer marketing campaign and also receive…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: David Sandeman March 2025 saw a modest rise in auction activity, with lots offered increasing by 5.6% compared to the same month last year – a pattern likely influenced by the usual push to complete transactions before the end of the financial year, the latest figures released by the Essential Information Group (EIG) reveals. But this increase in stock did not translate into higher sales, with the number of lots sold down 0.5% year-on-year and the success rate falling to 68.2%, a drop of over five percentage points. Still, total…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Dominic Agace Winkworth has announced its audited results for the year ended 31 December 2024. The company says its financial performance in 2024 was in line with management expectations. + Revenues of £10.79m up by 17% on 2023 (2023: £9.27 million). + Profit before taxation up 10% to £2.36m (2023: £2.15m). + Strong balance sheet with year-end cash balance of £4.09m (2023: £4.55m) and with no debt. + Full year dividends of 12.3p per ordinary share declared (2023: 11.7p per ordinary share), an increase of 5% on the prior year.…

[openai_chatbot] rewrite this content and keep HTML tags as is: Santander and HSBC were among major lenders to announce significant rate cuts yesterday, with some deals now starting from below 4%, while Halifax overhauled its affordability criteria. Santander’s two- and three-year fixed rates for residential home purchase for buyers with at 60% loan to value (LTV) have fallen to 3.97% and 3.99% respectively, both with a £999 fee. Santander is the latest lender to offer sub-4% fixed rates for home purchase, after Barclays and Coventry BS reduced their rates last week, as the current mortgage price war intensifies. Hina Bhudia, partner…